5 Packers who must get off to fast starts at training camp

Time is a luxury some players on the Green Bay Packers aren’t afforded this offseason.

Although the team is young and developing for the future, that doesn’t apply to everyone. Some players need to get off to fast starts to prove their worth on the team and depress any worries about their performance.

The Packers kick off their first training camp practice on Wednesday, July 26, giving the team about a month to finish their preparations. When they return, however, five players need to establish themselves quickly.

These five players on the Green Bay Packers can’t afford a bad first impression, and need to get off to fast starts at training camp.

Sean Rhyan

Make no mistake, Sean Rhyan had a disastrous first year in the NFL. After Green Bay selected him in the third round, he failed to make an impact in practices or games. He was buried on the depth chart and was probably fortunate even to make the team his rookie season.

Rhyan, who only played one snap on special teams last year, will be fighting for his life on the Packers’ roster in year 2. The Packers didn’t add any offensive linemen through the draft, but they have a couple of guys from the practice squad who could push Rhyan out of a roster spot.

Anders Carlson

Anders Carlson is the only kicker on the Packers’ roster, but he isn’t the only kicker in Green Bay. Mason Crosby reportedly still lives there and is an unsigned free agent. Carlson kicked well in Organized Team Activities and minicamp, but even the slightest sign of struggles could have the Packers banging down Crosby’s door.

Josh Myers

Since the day he was drafted in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Josh Myers was gift-wrapped the starting center position. There were few questions asked and very little competition for the job. That’s changed a bit this year, as Zach Tom has spent some time at center. Tom is versatile, but his best position might be at guard or tackle. Myers needs to prove he’s worthy of a starting position, or the rest of his career could be in jeopardy.

Darnell Savage

It’s evident that the Packers have made the decision to appoint Darnell Savage as one of their starting safeties, despite his subpar performance in the previous year. It is questionable whether he possesses the essential skills to fulfill this role effectively. However, Green Bay lacks options, as they’ve accumulated a plethora of career backups and special teamers. For the Packers to even sniff the playoffs this year, it is crucial that Savage steps up his game.

Jordan Love

Speaking of the playoffs, Jordan Love has a chance to shock the world and lead this young Packers’ squad to the promised land. Or, at least to the postseason. Love received plenty of praise from his teammates for his work in OTAs and minicamp. The small portions that were open to the media had a lot more inconsistency. The microscope will be on him this offseason and the pressure will be greatly reduced if he starts out hot.